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Life can be very hectic with juggling work, family and career; having the time to cook may not be an option. If you’re looking for something that’s affordable, high-quality and versatile for a holiday extravaganza, a corporate business meeting, a small family get-together or an individual meal for yourself, Graze Craze takes you on a food experience for any occasion, making every moment truly worth celebrating.
Graze Craze is a nationwide catering franchise leading the way as the first to offer charcuterie made fresh to order. They’re known as Grazologists because they’ve perfected the art of creating beautiful, delicious charcuterie boards and love sharing them with their community. It was founded by Kerry Lee Sylvester, a U.S. Air Force veteran who saw an opportunity to turn the growing popularity of charcuterie into a made-to-order catering concept.
She developed the idea in Oklahoma and, in 2021, partnered with United Franchise Group (Starpoint Brands) to franchise the brand nationwide. Sadly, Sylvester passed away on Dec. 17, 2024, but her vision and creativity continue to inspire the brand’s growth across the country. Today, Brady Lee serves as President of Graze Craze, overseeing its continued expansion.
Graze Craze has over 100 locations across the country. Recently, a new location opened in West Springfield at 777 Riverdale St. In an interview with Go Local, owner Jessica Sinopoli expressed how deeply grateful she is to everyone who came to the opening and has heard nothing but good positive feedback.
“The grand opening was such a success,” said Sinopoli. “We showcased our full lineup, so all of our signature charcuterie boards and bites were available to sample. It was an exciting, energy-filled event.”
She went on to say, “We chose this location because West Springfield and Riverdale Street in particular truly is the heart of the Valley. Riverdale Street is a major retail and shopping corridor, giving people access to what they need in one central place. I want our customers to have the option to either pick up their charcuterie boards quickly or have them delivered within a convenient radius.”
First-time customers can expect to be greeted by Sinopoli’s team of Grazologists, who are always ready to help them choose the perfect options for their party or event. They’re here to curate a beautiful, customized charcuterie experience that fits every occasion. They can cater to any dietary need, food restriction or people’s taste.
Their most popular board is the Gone Grazey, a mixture of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and hummus. They also offer keto & vegetarian boards, as well as a Sweet ‘n’ Grazey board that has an assortment of desserts, brownies and house-baked cookies with lots of different fruits and jams.
“Charcuterie has been around for a long time,” said Sinopoli. “It’s something that people already have and want at their parties. Instead of having a meat tray and a veggie tray and fruit platter, this is a way of having all of those things combined in a visually stunning way.”
Sinopoli is a home cook who was raised in Massachusetts. She’s always connected food with love, and she takes pride in creating dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Even when she’s just cooking for her family at home, Sinopoli said she focuses on presentation as much as taste because people really do eat with their eyes first.
She and her husband and co-owner, Jason, wanted to build something of their own, something unique and meaningful. After exploring several ideas that didn’t quite align, Sinopoli started researching franchise opportunities. When they discovered Graze Craze, it felt like an obvious fit from the start.
“We’re really a one-stop shop,” Sinopoli pointed out. “Charcuterie boards represent a new way of eating. People are moving away from big sit-down meals and enjoying the flexibility to graze throughout the day.”
She continued, “That’s exactly where the name Graze Craze comes from. Grazing is about sampling a variety of flavors and creating what we call ‘perfect bites,’ unique combinations that bring people together to share and enjoy food in a fun, connected way.”
Sinopoli’s perfect bite is to take one of their mini bell peppers, add a bit of goat cheese and a splash of their raspberry jam. She loves mixing flavors together, putting a little bit of sweet and a little bit of savory in a bite. She’ll pair Manchego cheese with a piece of bourbon salami or spicy chorizo with a drizzle of honey.
Sinopoli’s daughter Louisiana, the future charcuterie queen of Western Mass., is already part of the dream. Sinopoli wanted to build something her family could be proud of and eventually pass down to her daughter.
“I’m thrilled about being here,” Sinopoli said. “West Springfield has always been a go-to destination when you’re planning a party because of the major stores on Riverdale Street. It’s centrally located, calling out to serve our area well. We love this community and want to be here for the long term. Ultimately, we wanted to bring a service that positively impacts the people here right in our own backyard.”
Graze Craze will be offering holiday and seasonal boards throughout the year. Right now, they have their popular Game Day Board and a new Wine Pairing Board on the menu. For the upcoming holidays, they’ll be featuring festive boards that include special seasonal items like white chocolate bark and their signature fennel-spiced ham.
“My goal is for Graze Craze to become the go-to place,” Sinopoli said. “Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just grabbing lunch for yourself. When people think of charcuterie, I want them to think of Graze Craze. It’s incredibly rewarding knowing that our boards become part of so many special moments in people’s lives, and I feel truly proud to be in this position.”
Graze Craze is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit their website at grazecraze.com/west-springfield-ma. For questions, call 413-301-6263. You can also follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GrazeCrazeWestSpringfieldMA.